Kristina Vogel honoured with Barbie made in her image for International Women’s Day
German track cyclist one of 20 women in Barbie "Role Models" series
Kristina Vogel will a rather unique honour to her extensive palmares this International Women’s Day. The German double Olympic gold medallist on the track, who was paralyzed in a training accident in 2018, now has a Barbie made in her image.
The Kristina Vogel doll is part of a special release from Barbie for International Women’s Day. The campaign also marks the doll’s 60th anniversary. Vogel is one of 20 women that have had dolls made in their image, part of Barbie’s ongoing “Role Models” campaign.
“Kristina continues to persevere and share her story with the public,” Barbie stated in its announcement of the 20 new Roll Model dolls. “With her infectious vitality, she is a model for believing in yourself.”
Other athletes in the 20 include Canadian ice dancer Tessa Virtue, tennis player Naomi Osaka, gymnast Dipa Karmakar, big wave surfer Maya Gabeira, rugby player turned journalist Melodie Robinson. There area also notable female activists, models, artists, and scientists.
Vogel’s illustrious track career was cut short in June 2018. A collision in practice with a Dutch junior rider left the 11-time world champion paralyzed. Since her accident, she has been public and vocal about her rehabilitation, and her desire to take on new challenges in life in a wheelchair.
Vogel has dealt with her life-altering accident very publicly. She spoke to Der Spiegel just months after her accident and announcing that she was paralyzed. Recently, she has been at several public events and awards shows. She was interviewed by Sir Chris Hoy ahead of UCI track world championships in Pruszkow, Poland. Then Vogel was one of the UCI’s live commentators for the event. Just months earlier she was one of the favourites to win a medal in Poland. Not one to slow down, she is driving forward in new directions in her life after competition. Vogel is currently running for public office in Erfurt, Germany.
You can see the full list of Role Model dolls, including the newest 20, here.
